Jan Hildebrandt

Mechanical Engineering Manager | Aircraft Interior Lighting Systems • Additive Manufacturing • Design for Manufacturing • Cost Optimization & Continuous Improvement • Driving Global Engineering Excellence

Lippstadt, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

About

Engineering Manager focused on innovation, sustainability and global excellence. I develop forward-looking product solutions for the aerospace industry that combine technology, performance and efficiency. With more than a decade of experience in Mechanical Engineering, Product Development and Interior Lighting Systems, I lead cross-functional teams to deliver sustainable and cost-optimized systems. My expertise combines deep technical understanding (3D Printing, FEA, CAD, DfM) with strategic vision in Technology Roadmapping, Process Harmonization and Continuous Improvement, supported by structured innovation approaches such as Design Thinking. As part of the Vision Interior Lighting 2025 at RTX / Collins Aerospace, I drive innovation through REACH Compliance, Sustainable Engineering and Additive Manufacturing. I actively contribute to the Customer Oriented Results & Excellence (CORE) operating system and serve as 5S Leader for Mechanical Engineering, promoting operational excellence, transparency and disciplined execution. Holding Material Review Board (MRB) Authority, I take responsibility for product integrity, regulatory compliance and sound engineering decisions in complex technical environments. In addition, I act as a key contact and contributor within the Transfer and Relocation Team, supporting cross-site coordination and stable operational transitions. Alongside my management responsibilities, I am engaged in an internal mentoring program, supporting professional growth, leadership development and long-term talent retention. My leadership approach is based on integrity, accountability and systems thinking. I believe in continuous improvement, clear decision-making and collaborative leadership that enables teams to perform at their best. My focus is on increasing performance, shortening time-to-market and delivering measurable results without compromising quality or responsibility. My core values are engineering excellence, integrity and accountability, sustainability, continuous improvement, people development, collaboration and pragmatic innovation. These principles guide my decisions, leadership style and daily engineering practice. 🏆 Participant of the German Future Award and winner of the Lippstadt Future Award (Business category) 🔬 Patent holder in thermal management and vibration control technologies 🌍 Committed to global collaboration, coaching, change management and operational excellence I believe in engineering excellence that unites technological innovation with ecological responsibility to shape a sustainable future.

Experience

  • Manager Mechanical Engineering at RTX
    Sep 2020 - Present · 5 yrs 11 mos

  • Team Lead Mechanical Engineering at Goodrich Lighting Systems GmbH, a part of Collins Aerospace
    Dec 2018 - Sep 2020 · 1 yr 10 mos

  • Goodrich Lighting Systems GmbH, a UTC Aerospace Systems Company ()
    • Team Lead Mechanical Engineering
      Nov 2017 - Nov 2018 · 1 yr 1 mo

    • Team Lead Mechanical Engineering (Acting)
      May 2017 - Oct 2017 · 6 mos

  • Mechanical Engineering at UTC Aerospace Systems
    Sep 2012 - May 2017 · 4 yrs 9 mos

  • Mechanical Engineer at Goodrich Lighting Systems GmbH & Co KG
    Oct 2009 - Aug 2012 · 2 yrs 11 mos